State park trail entry point.

Journey Home

Tales from the pilgrimage.

environment

  • We’re Going Home — Wendell Berry

    Wendell Berry died on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. Known best by conservationists as the author of The Unsettling of America, Berry had written more than 50 books of verse, essays, and fiction by his death at age 92. It is difficult to work in the local food movement without giving a nod to Berry for… Read more

  • The Climate Crisis — Who to Read

    Long-time followers of this blog know I joined The Climate Reality Project, a non-profit organization founded by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore that educates the public about climate change and advocates for urgent global action. Chairman Gore seldom speaks outside the context of the project, so who else do I follow to stay up… Read more

  • Last Days of August

    On Friday, I received a second set of comments on the second part of my autobiography, A Working Life. Two more copies are out to early readers who are close family members, yet I’m ready to move forward with the second big edit. I expect this work to begin as the garden winds down. There… Read more

  • Dreaming of First Settlers

    I hadn’t realized the fall migration had begun. I saw a Monarch butterfly land on a milkweed plant that had already flowered, and was thankful because it had been a couple of years since I saw one. Later, I saw a couple of them flying across the road when I drove to town. This weekend,… Read more

  • Member of Congress Manufactures Campaign Material

    I used to think I could talk with Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks. That was in 2008 during her first run for Congress. I was on the county board of health and felt that gave me standing to discuss issues with the ophthalmologist. I found her during a break between two parades in Johnson County and asked… Read more

  • Nuclear Power and the ALARA Principle

    There is a lot of media buzz about nuclear reactors these days. Something essential is at stake and you may not be hearing about it in media. Read more

  • July 2026 Wildflowers

    Here is a collection of flower photos taken near my home in Big Grove Township during July. I often forget the diversity of plant life. Read more

  • Summer is in Bloom

    As the sun rose behind me on the state park trail, I realized wildflower blooms are reaching peak. I stopped and took it all in. The variety of colors and shapes is visually appealing, even as I’m only beginning to be able to name them all. Yellows, reds, purples and whites, they all come together… Read more

  • Fighting the Duane Arnold Energy Center Restart

    The Duane Arnold Energy Center was re-licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in December 2010, extending its operating license for 20 years to 2034. After the 2020 derecho damaged the plant, they didn’t reopen, and began the process of de-commissioning with intent to shut down. When a large contract with Google Energy, to purchase… Read more

  • Time for a Day Off

    Wishing you peace as I take some time off. Read more